Unexpected thermal event assist

ABSTRACT

A vehicle system may include a thermal sensor; and a connectivity device of a vehicle, in communication with the thermal sensor, configured to receive an indication from the thermal sensor indicative of detection of a thermal event within a structure housing the vehicle, responsive to the detection, autonomously move the vehicle out of the structure away from the thermal event, and operate as an information relay that provides status of the thermal event. A method may include activating a connectivity device of a vehicle responsive to detection of a thermal event external to the vehicle by a vehicle thermal sensor; confirming, by the connectivity device, the detection of the thermal event by utilizing other thermal sensor inputs of the vehicle; and responsive to the confirmation, commanding a vehicle system to autonomously move the vehicle out of a structure away from the thermal event.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.14/500,137, filed Sep. 29, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,555,814, issuedJan. 31, 2017, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated in itsentirety by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Aspects of this disclosure relate to assistance for detecting unexpectedemergency thermal events and assistance in managing the responseperformed using vehicle systems.

BACKGROUND

Home fires and extreme cold often result in damage to property and harmto persons and animals. In some cases, such events may be substantiallymitigated by detection of the event and early warning to specificpersonnel. Even though many homes are already equipped with some form ofsmoke and/or fire detection sensors, there are cases in which thesesensors are ineffective with respect to detecting the event and warningsuch personnel.

SUMMARY

In a first illustrative embodiment, a system includes a thermal sensor;and a connectivity device of a vehicle, in communication with thethermal sensor, configured to receive an indication from the thermalsensor indicative of detection of a thermal event within a structurehousing the vehicle, responsive to the detection, autonomously move thevehicle out of the structure away from the thermal event, and operate asan information relay that provides status of the thermal event.

In a second illustrative embodiment, a vehicle includes a processorconfigured to receive an indication from a vehicle thermal sensorindicative of detection of a thermal event external to the vehicle andwithin a structure in which the vehicle is located, responsive to thedetection, perform assistance features including to autonomously movethe vehicle out of the structure away from the thermal event, andtransmit media responsive to being located at a moved location away fromthe thermal event.

In a third illustrative embodiment, a method includes activating aconnectivity device of a vehicle responsive to detection of a thermalevent external to the vehicle by a vehicle thermal sensor; confirming,by the connectivity device, the detection of the thermal event byutilizing other thermal sensor inputs of the vehicle; and responsive tothe confirmation, commanding a vehicle system to autonomously move thevehicle out of a structure away from the thermal event.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an example vehicle implementing assistance featuresactivated based on unexpected thermal event detection;

FIG. 2 illustrates an example notification using a vehicle implementingassistance features activated based on unexpected thermal eventdetection;

FIG. 3 illustrates an example diagram of a vehicle utilizing assistancefeatures to attempt to mitigate a detected thermal event;

FIG. 4 illustrates an example process for setting assistance featuresettings for a vehicle according to a static vehicle location such as avehicle key-off location; and

FIG. 5 illustrates an example process for performing assistance featuresactivated based on unexpected thermal event detection.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosedherein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodimentsare merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in variousand alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; somefeatures may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particularcomponents. Therefore, specific structural and functional detailsdisclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as arepresentative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variouslyemploy the present invention.

A vehicle may include one or more thermal sensors configured to detectunexpected thermal events. The term “thermal events” as used in thisdocument refers generally to unexpected increases in temperature(whether measured by direct evidence of temperature differential or byindirect evidence such as via photoelectric or ionization sensors), butcould also include unexpected severe drops in temperature that couldresult in damage to home or building plumbing, safety of animalsoutdoors and other severe cold risks where a garaged vehicle may provideadvance notice of the severe condition. In order to prevent the thermalsensors from responding to natural temperature extremes, the system mayinclude a rolling average baseline temperature that tracks naturalambient temperature but is able to detect a rapid change over a shortperiod of time that may be indicative of a nearby fire. For example, avehicle stored in a garage in Arizona may see a local ambient in excessof 50° Celsius (120° Fahrenheit). If that reading was to rise 20-30° ina few minutes this would likely correlate to a potential nearby thermalevent. For cold temperature, the filtering of unexpected thermal eventsmay be slower.

If an unexpected thermal event is detected, the vehicle may activate avehicle connectivity module to enable thermal event assistance features.In an example, the thermal sensor may be configured to complete aconnection between the vehicle connectivity module and the battery whenthe thermal event is detected, so as to cause the vehicle connectivitymodule to activate and establish a cellular, WiFi, or other wirelesscommunication session with a remotely located transceiver either in adifferent part of the structure or a different geographic location oractivate other means of notifying users of the system of potentialrisks.

The assistance features may include, as some non-limiting examples, (i)utilizing an in-vehicle embedded modem or paired cell phone to made acall for assistance (e.g., to 911) or to send an alert messagerequesting assistance, (ii) activating vehicle hazard lights, (iii)activating a horn chirp (e.g., activation of the vehicle perimeteralarm), (iii) invoking an alert function of a two-way key fob, (iv)making a call or sending a message to a predetermined contact, (v)providing illumination to the area using one or more lights of thevehicle, (vi) opening a garage or other door to the enclosed space inwhich the vehicle is located, (vii) waking or otherwise informing othervehicles of the unexpected thermal event, and (viii) autonomously movingone or all of the vehicles at risk to another location. (In this casethe vehicles would be required to be equipped with autonomoustechnology.) The vehicle may remain in the emergency mode untilreceiving manual intervention to return to normal mode, or until thevehicle runs out of battery or is damaged such that the vehicleassistance functions no longer operate.

In some cases, the assistance features may be enabled or disabled basedon vehicle location. For instance, a vehicle may maintain assistancefeature settings configured to enable predefined assistance featuresbased on detection of the vehicle being at a predefined geographiclocation (such as when parked inside or near a house garage or carport).In an example, the vehicle may be configured to enable the assistancefeatures based on a global positioning system (GPS) location where thevehicle was turned off (e.g. when the vehicle is keyed off within arange (500 m) of an established home location). In another example, thevehicle may be configured to enable the assistance features when thevehicle is determined to be within a predetermined range from a house,condo, or other habitable building. In yet another example, theassistance features may be disabled when the vehicle is not at a homelocation, such as located in a public parking lot. If the vehicle is notat a home location, the human-machine interface (HMI) of the vehicle maybe configured to confirm when the vehicle is turned off whether ownerwould like the assistance features to be enabled at the current vehiclelocation.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example vehicle 100 implementing assistancefeatures activated based on unexpected thermal event detection. Asillustrated, the vehicle 100 includes a battery 102, an engine 104, aplurality of vehicle systems 112, one or more vehicle buses 114 and avehicle connectivity module 118. The vehicle systems 112 and vehicleconnectivity module 118 may be in communication over the bus 114 andconfigured to perform various vehicle functions under the power of thevehicle battery 102. The vehicle 100 further includes a thermal sensor116, and an event detection application 124 installed to the vehicleconnectivity module 118. As explained in greater detail below, thevehicle connectivity module 118 receives input from the thermal sensor116 based on detection of the unexpected thermal event, and activatesone or more assistance features of the system modules 112 according toassistance features settings 126 and responsive to the event detection.

The battery 102 may include various types of rechargeable batteryconfigured to supply electric energy to various components of thevehicle 100. In an example, the battery 102 may be a 12 Volt lead-acidbattery. The battery 102 may be configured to power the starter motor106 and the ignition system 108 of the engine 104 when the engine 104 isnot running, and may receive electric charge from the alternator 110when the engine 104 is running. In another example, the battery 102 mayinclude a traction battery or battery pack configured to store energythat can be used by one or more electric machines of the vehicle 100that can provide propulsion and deceleration capability.

The plurality of vehicle systems 112 may be configured to performvarious vehicle functions under the power of the vehicle battery 102. Asdepicted, the example vehicle systems 112 are represented as discretemodules 112-A through 112-G. However, the vehicle systems 112 may sharephysical hardware, firmware, and/or software, such that thefunctionality from multiple modules 112 may be integrated into a singlemodule 112, and that the functionality of various such modules 112 maybe distributed across a plurality of modules 112.

As some non-limiting module 112 examples: a powertrain control module112-A may be configured to provide control of engine 104 operatingcomponents (e.g., idle control components, fuel delivery components,emissions control components, etc.) and for monitoring status of suchengine operating components (e.g., status of engine fault codes); a bodycontrol module 112-B may be configured to manage various power controlfunctions such as exterior lighting, interior lighting, keyless entry,remote start, and point of access status verification (e.g., closurestatus of the hood, doors and/or trunk of the vehicle 100); a radiotransceiver module 112-C may be configured to send and receive messagesby way of a wireless network or paired communications device; atelematics control unit 112-D may be configured to send and receivecommands from the paired communications device or wireless networkconnection using the facilities of the radio transceiver module 112-C(e.g., to provide low battery alerts to a driver's phone or to a webdatabase); a climate control management module 112-E may be configuredto provide control of heating and cooling system components (e.g.,compressor clutch, blower fan, temperature sensors, etc.); a globalpositioning system (GPS) module 112-F may be configured to providevehicle location information; and a user interface module 112-G may beconfigured to provide vehicle status information to a driver, such asfuel level info, engine operating temperature information, and currentlocation of the vehicle 100. Although not shown, the vehicle 100 mayalso be configured to perform acquisition of video images from externalcameras (e.g., 360 Degree Camera system, Reverse Parking Cameras, LaneDeparture Warning, etc.) and transmit these images to off-board to allowrecipients to see some level of first-hand evidence of the conditionssurrounding the vehicle sending the alert.

The vehicle bus 114 may include various method of communicationavailable between the system modules 112, as well as between the vehicleconnectivity module 118 and the system modules 112. As some non-limitingexamples, the vehicle bus 114 may include a controller area network(CAN) bus and/or an Ethernet network.

The thermal sensor 116 may be configured to detect unexpected thermalevents. For example, when the thermal sensor 116 detects the unexpectedthermal event, the sensor may be configured to close a circuit orotherwise change electrical properties to notify a system to which thethermal sensor 116 is connected. In an example, the thermal sensor 116may be cold engine lockout switch (e.g., configured to close a circuitwhen a temperate exceeds approximately 50 degrees Celsius/120 degreesFahrenheit). In another example, the thermal sensor 116 may includeelectrodes separated by wax, such that when the temperature surroundingthe sensor increases, the wax melts and the electrodes close anelectrical link.

The vehicle connectivity module 118 may include various types ofcomputing apparatus to facilitate the performance of the functions ofthe vehicle connectivity module 118. In an example, the vehicleconnectivity module 118 may include a processor 120 configured toexecute computer instructions, and a storage medium 122 on which thecomputer-executable instructions may be maintained. A computer-readablestorage medium 122 (also referred to as a processor-readable medium 122or storage 122) includes any non-transitory (e. g., tangible) mediumthat participates in providing data (e.g., instructions) that may beread by a computer (e.g., by the processor 120). In general, a processor120 receives instructions, e.g., from the storage 122, etc., andexecutes these instructions, thereby performing one or more processes,including one or more of the processes described herein.Computer-executable instructions may be compiled or interpreted fromcomputer programs created using a variety of programming languagesand/or technologies, including, without limitation, and either alone orin combination, Java, C, C++, C#, Fortran, Pascal, Visual Basic, JavaScript, Perl, PL/SQL, etc.

In an example, the thermal sensor 116 may be connected to the vehicleconnectivity module 118, such that when the thermal sensor 116 detectsan unexpected thermal event, the thermal sensor 116 closes a link on anelectrical connection to the vehicle battery 102, waking the vehicleconnectivity module 118. Once awake, the vehicle connectivity module 118may activate the event detection application 124 included on the storage122 of the vehicle connectivity module 118.

The event detection application 124 may further be configured to, whenactivated by the vehicle connectivity module 118, cause the vehicleconnectivity module 118 to utilize other sensor inputs of the vehicle100 to confirm the unexpected thermal event. In an example, the eventdetection application 124 may be configured to query the climate controlmanagement module 112-E for temperature information from temperaturesensors of the climate control system (e.g., measuring ambienttemperature, cabin temperature, sun load) to determine a potentialnon-emergency weather-based cause for the thermal event (e.g., a hotsunny day), and therefore that an unexpected thermal event has notoccurred. In another example, the event detection application 124 may beconfigured to query the powertrain control module 112-A for informationregarding engine temperature, oil temperature, coolant temperature, orother temperature information from the vehicle 100 that may beindicative of normal heat resulting from recent use of the engine 104(e.g., that the engine temperature is decreasing in temperaturenormally).

The event detection application 124 may further include instructionsconfigured to, when an unexpected thermal event occurs, cause thevehicle connectivity module 118 to issue one or more commands to thevehicle modules 112 to activate one or more assistance features of thesystem modules 112. The assistance features settings 126 may includeinformation indicative of the configuration of the assistance featuresto be performed when an unexpected thermal event is identified and/orconfirmed.

For example, the assistance features may include features for notifyingothers of the detected event. These notification assistance features mayinclude, for example: (i) commanding the telematics control unit 112-Dto utilize an in-vehicle modem to call an emergency phone number (e.g.,9-1-1) or other numbers on a priority based calling list, (ii)commanding the body control module 112-B to invoke a horn chirp such asa perimeter alarm, (iii) commanding the radio transceiver module 112-Cto send a message to a two-way key fob (e.g., to cause the key fob toprovide a haptic, visual, or audible alert), and/or (iv) commanding thetelematics control unit 112-D to utilize an in-vehicle modem to call orsend a text message to the owner of the vehicle 100 and/or a predefinedemergency contact.

The assistance features may additionally or alternatively includefeatures requesting the vehicle 100 to perform actions to attempt tomitigate the detected event. As one possibility, the assistance featuresmay include providing alternative illumination in the vicinity of thethermal event. For example, the event detection application 124 may beconfigured to cause the vehicle connectivity module 118 to command thebody control module 112-B to invoke lighting features (e.g., by way ofone or more of vehicle cabin lights, headlights, daytime-running lights,and/or reverse lights of the vehicle 100). This may be done, forexample, to provide light to enhance the image quality of vehiclecameras (e.g., vehicle rearview camera, etc.) configured to providevideo of the vehicle 100 location to a remote location (e.g., via thetelematics control unit 112-D services), or to act as an emergencylighting, in case vehicle 100 surroundings are poorly lit.

As another possibility of a vehicle 100 attempt to mitigate the detectedevent, the assistance features may include requesting the vehicle 100 toopen one or more garage doors of a garage in which the vehicle 100detecting the event is located. For example, the event detectionapplication 124 may be configured to cause the vehicle connectivitymodule 118 to command the radio transceiver module 112-C (or anotherdedicated radio module) to provide a wireless Homelink message to openthe garage door. As another example, the event detection application 124may be configured to cause the vehicle connectivity module 118 tocommand the telematics control unit 112-to utilize the internal model tosend a network control message to open the garage door. Opening thegarage door may be a risk for garage contents, but it may also alertothers (e.g., neighbors, emergency personnel, etc.) of the situation.The vehicle 100 may also invoke a vehicle camera (e.g., vehicle rearviewcamera, etc.) configured to provide video of the vehicle 100 location toa remote location to enable monitoring of the open door surroundings.

The event detection application 124 may be further configured todiscontinue the assistance features based on one or more of: a manualintervention, expiration of a timer, and disablement of vehicle functiondue to the unexpected thermal event itself.

In some cases, multiple vehicles 100 within the vicinity of the detectedevent may cooperate to perform assistance features. In an example, if afirst vehicle 100 detects a thermal event, the first vehicle 100 mayutilize the radio transceiver module 112-C to perform vehicle-to-vehiclecommunication to locate other vehicles 100 in the vicinity of the firstvehicle 100 and to collaborate with those other located vehicles 100. Inanother example, if the first vehicle 100 detects a thermal event, thefirst vehicle 100 may utilize the telematics control unit 112-D torequest a third party server to determine GPS locations of othervehicles 100 in proximity to the first vehicle 100 and wake those othervehicles 100 so they may collaborate with performance of the assistancefeatures. As a possible collaboration, the first vehicle 100 may monitorthe vehicle battery 102 and enable a secondary vehicle 100 to continuethe assistance features when the charge level of the battery 102 of thefirst vehicle 100 falls below a predetermined threshold value. Asanother possible collaboration, the first vehicle 100 and other vehicles100 may collaborate on concurrent assistance features, such as by eachproviding visual and/or audible warnings of the detected event.

In some cases, the event detection application 124 may be configured toperform assistance features based on the current location of the vehicle100. In an example, the vehicle 100 may utilize the global positioningsystem module 112-F to determine a GPS location of the vehicle 100 atkey-off, and may determine, based on that location and the assistancefeatures settings 126, whether assistance features should be enabled (orwhich assistance features should be enabled). As some possibilities, theassistance features settings 126 may be set to enable assistancefeatures within some range (e.g., 500 meters) of a pre-defined homelocation; enable assistance features when within a pre-defined range ofany house, condo, or other habitable building (e.g., determinedaccording to map information and current GPS location); and disableassistance features when the vehicle 100 is parked in a public parkinglot.

As another possibility, if the vehicle 100 is not at the home location,the event detection application 124 may be configured to query the userusing the user interface module 112-G to request input regarding whetherthe vehicle 100 owner/occupant requests that assistance features beenabled at the current vehicle 100 location. If such input is provided,the event detection application 124 may be configured to maintain theinformation in the assistance feature settings 126 for future visits tothe location.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example diagram 200 of a vehicle 100-A providingevent alerts 202 to various other devices. The event alert 202 mayinclude information configured to alert a recipient of the event alert202 to the thermal event detected by the vehicle 100-A. The variousother devices may include, as some examples, a mobile device 206, atwo-way key fob 208, and another vehicle 100-B.

The event alert 202 may include various types of information that may beuseful to a recipient of the event alert 202. In an example, the eventalert 202 may include position information (e.g., GPS coordinates of thevehicle 100-A requested by the vehicle connectivity module 118 from theglobal positioning system module 112-F). As another possibility, theevent alert 202 may include information indicative of the identity ofthe vehicle 100-A such as a vehicle identification number (VIN), a phonenumber of the vehicle 100-A, an identifier of a user account associatedwith the vehicle 100-A (e.g., an email address, a unique driveridentifier, etc.). As yet a further possibility, the event alert 202 mayinclude time information indicative of the time of detection of thethermal event. In some cases, the event alert 202 may include commandsrequested by the vehicle 100-A to be performed by a recipient of theevent alert 202. As an example, the event alert 202 may include acommand requesting the recipient to perform an assistance feature, suchas invoking visual and/or audio alert functionality of the recipient. Asanother example, the event alert 202 may include a command requestingthe recipient device to, in turn, make a request to another device forassistance.

The vehicle 100-A may be in communication over the communicationsnetwork 204 with a mobile device 206. The communications network 204 mayinclude one or more interconnected networks, such as a cellular network,a cable network, a satellite network, a wide area wireless network, aWi-Fi network, as some possibilities. In an example, the vehicle 100-Amay be configured to communicate over the communications network 204using the telematics control unit 112-D via an internal modem. Themobile device 206 may include one or more of various types of deviceconfigured to communicate with other devices over the communicationsnetwork 204. As some possibilities, the mobile device 206 may include amobile phone, a tablet computer, a portable digital assistant device, alaptop computer, or a desktop computer.

As illustrated, the vehicle 100-A may be configured to send an eventalert 202-A to a predefined mobile device 206 to which the vehicle 100-Ais configured to send event alerts 202. In an example, the vehicle 100-Amay send a text message or make a phone call to the mobile device 206 toalert the owner of the mobile device 206 of the thermal event detectedby the vehicle 100-A.

The two-way key fob 208 may be a device configured to send and receivemessages with the vehicle 100-A. For example, the two-way key fob 208may be configured to send commands to the vehicle, e.g., to cause thevehicle 100-A to lock or unlock vehicle 100-A doors, perform a remotestart of the vehicle 100-A, open the vehicle 100-A trunk, open thevehicle 100-A tailgate, etc. The two-way key fob 208 may be furtherconfigured to receive event alert 202 messages from the vehicle 100-A aswell, and may be configured to include alert functionality thatactivates upon receipt of the event alert 202. In an example, the alertfunctionality of the two-way key fob 208 may include a sounder deviceconfigured to produce an audible warning, a haptic device configured toprovide a vibration warning, and/or a light emitting device configuredto provide a visual warning.

As illustrated, the vehicle 100-A may be configured to send an eventalert 202-B to a predefined two-way key fob 208 to which the vehicle100-A is paired with to receive commands and send event alerts 202. Inan example, the vehicle 100-A may send the event alert 202-B of thethermal event detected by the vehicle 100-A to the two-way key fob 208in an attempt to alert the owner of the vehicle 100-A of the detectedcondition.

As a further possibility, the vehicle 100-A may be configure to performvehicle-to-vehicle communication with another vehicle 100-B, in order toinform the other vehicle 100-B of the detected event. In an example, thevehicle 100-A may utilize the radio transceiver module 112-C to send theevent alert 202-B of the thermal event detected by the vehicle 100-A tobe received by the radio transceiver module 112-C of the vehicle 100-B.In another example, the vehicle 100-A may utilize the telematics controlunit 112-D to send the event alert 202-B of the thermal event detectedby the vehicle 100-A to be received by the telematics control unit 112-Dof the vehicle 100-B.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example diagram 300 of a vehicle 100 utilizingassistance features to attempt to mitigate a detected thermal event. Asillustrated, the vehicle 100 is located at an initial position inside agarage of a structure 302. In an example, the vehicle 100 may utilizethe global positioning system module 112-F to determine the location ofthe vehicle 100 at key-off, and may determine, based on that location,that assistance features should be enabled.

While parked, the thermal sensor 116 of the vehicle 100 may detect apotential thermal event 304, and may wake the vehicle connectivitymodule 118 of the vehicle 100. Once awake, the vehicle connectivitymodule 118 may activate the event detection application 124 included onthe storage 122 of the vehicle connectivity module 118. In some cases,the event detection application 124 may utilize other sensor inputs ofthe vehicle 100 to confirm the unexpected thermal event, such as ambienttemperature, cabin temperature, or sun load temperature information fromthe climate control management module 112-E, and/or engine temperature,oil temperature, coolant temperature, or other temperature informationfrom the powertrain control module 112-A. If the a potential thermalevent 304 is detected (and in some cases confirmed), the vehicle 100 mayperform the assistance features that are enabled.

For example, and as illustrated by the concentric circles 306 emanatingfrom the vehicle 100, the vehicle 100 may be configured to perform anotification assistance feature such as sending a message to apredetermined mobile device 206 specified by the vehicle 100 settings.

As another example, the vehicle 100 may be configured to performassistance features configured to mitigate the detected thermal event304. As an example, and as illustrated by the arrow 308 and potentialmoved vehicle position 310, the vehicle 100 may be configured to, upondetection of the thermal event 304, open the garage door of thestructure 302. For instance, the vehicle 100 may utilize the vehicleconnectivity module 118 to command the radio transceiver module 112-C(or another dedicated radio module) to provide a wireless Homelinkmessage to open the garage door. The vehicle 100 may be furtherconfigured to, start the vehicles engine 104 of the vehicle 100 (e.g.,via the starter motor 106 and ignition 108), and autonomously move thevehicle 100 out of the structure 302 (e.g., back up out of the openedgarage door).

By moving the vehicle 100 from the structure 302, the vehicle 100 mayaccordingly attempt to protect itself from damage from the thermal event304. Additionally, by moving from the thermal event 304 the vehicle 100may to continue to be an information relay for the ongoing the status ofthe thermal event 304, and at the moved location may provide an improvedvantage point for vehicles 100 cameras to view and transmit media of thethermal event 304 (e.g., via the telematics control unit 112-D to apredetermined recipient (e.g., a mobile device 206 of a vehicle owner, acall center, etc.).

Moreover, by moving the vehicle 100 from the structure 302, the vehicle100 may facilitate location of the thermal event 304 by neighbors orpersonnel if the vehicle 100 is located outside the structure 302 withone or more visual and audio alert functions activated (e.g., hazardlights, flashing lights, alarm sounding, etc.). As another possibility,the moved vehicle 100 may provide shelter from the thermal event 304 foroccupants making an exit from the structure 302 (e.g., if the structureoccupants are not clothed properly and weather is severe, the movedvehicle 100 may provide the exited structure occupants with shelteruntil other personnel arrive which could be useful in rural locations orsevere storms). As yet a further possibility, the vehicle 100 exitedfrom the structure 302 may be available as a means of transportation forexited structure occupants.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example process 400 for setting assistance featuresettings 126 for a vehicle according to a static vehicle location suchas a vehicle key-off location. The process 400 may be performed, in anexample, at least in part by the vehicle connectivity module 118 of thevehicle 100.

At operation 402, the vehicle 100 identifies the vehicle 100 key-offlocation. In an example, the vehicle 100 may utilize the globalpositioning system module 112-F to determine a GPS location of thevehicle 100 at key-off.

At operation 404, the vehicle 100 determines whether the vehicle 100 hasassistance feature settings 126 for the current location. For example,the vehicle 100 may query the assistance feature settings 126 todetermine whether the vehicle 100 is within a range (e.g., 500 meters)of a pre-defined home location for which assistance feature settings 126are set, whether the vehicle 100 is within a pre-defined range of anyhouse, condo, or other habitable building (e.g., determined according tomap information and the current GPS location) for which assistancefeature settings 126 are set, or whether the vehicle 100 is parked in alocation where assistance feature settings 126 have been disabled (e.g.,a public parking lot). If the assistance feature settings 126 indicatethat there are assistance feature settings 126 for the current location,control passes to operation 408. Otherwise control passes to operation406.

At operation 406, the vehicle 100 prompts for assistance featuresettings 126 for the current location. In an example, the human-machineinterface (HMI) of the vehicle 100 may be configured to confirm via userinput whether assistance features should be enabled at the currentvehicle location (and/or which features should be enabled). The vehicleconnectivity module 118 may accordingly utilize the input to the HMI toupdate the assistance feature settings 126 for the current location.

At operation 408, the vehicle 100 applies assistance feature settings126 for the current location. For example, the vehicle connectivitymodule 118 may configure itself to utilize the assistance featuresettings 126 defined for the current location in case of detection of athermal event. After operation 408, the process 400 ends.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example process 500 for performing assistancefeatures activated based on unexpected thermal event detection. Theprocess 500 may be performed, in an example, at least in part by thevehicle connectivity module 118 of the vehicle 100.

At operation 502, the vehicle 100 receives input from the thermal sensor116 indicative of a potential occurrence of a thermal event. Forexample, when the thermal sensor 116 detects the unexpected thermalevent, the thermal sensor 116 may close a connection between the vehicleconnectivity module 118 and the battery 102, so as to cause the vehicleconnectivity module 118 to activate.

At operation 504, the vehicle 100 confirms the potential occurrence ofthe thermal event. For example, the vehicle connectivity module 118 mayutilize other sensor inputs of the vehicle 100 to confirm the unexpectedthermal event, such as ambient temperature, cabin temperature, or sunload temperature information from the climate control management module112-E, and/or engine temperature, oil temperature, coolant temperature,or other temperature information from the powertrain control module112-A. If the potential thermal event 304 is confirmed, control passesto operation 506. Otherwise control passes to operation 502.

At operation 506, the vehicle 100 determines what assistance actions areenabled for the current vehicle 100 location. For example, the vehicleconnectivity module 118 may utilize a GPS location of the vehicle 100captured by the global positioning system module 112-F and maintained bythe vehicle connectivity module 118 and the assistance feature settings126 to identify which assistance features are enabled for the currentvehicles 100 location. If no assistance features are enabled, then theprocess 500 ends. If assistance feature are enabled, then control passesto operation 508.

At operation 508, the vehicle 100 performed the enabled assistancefeatures. As an example, the vehicle connectivity module 118 may commandthe vehicle 100 to perform a notification assistance feature such assending a message to a predetermined mobile device 206 specified by thevehicle 100 settings. As another example, the vehicle connectivitymodule 118 may command the vehicle 100 to perform an assistance featureto mitigate the detected thermal event 304, such as autonomously movingthe vehicle 100 to another location. After operation 508, the process500 ends.

While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended thatthese embodiments describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather,the words used in the specification are words of description rather thanlimitation, and it is understood that various changes may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.Additionally, the features of various implementing embodiments may becombined to form further embodiments of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system comprising: a thermal sensor; and aconnectivity device of a vehicle, in communication with the thermalsensor, configured to receive an indication from the thermal sensorindicative of detection of a thermal event within a structure housingthe vehicle, responsive to the detection, autonomously move the vehicleout of the structure away from the thermal event, and operate as aninformation relay that provides status of the thermal event.
 2. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the connectivity device is further configuredto transmit media of the thermal event to a predetermined recipient. 3.The system of claim 2, wherein the connectivity device is furtherconfigured to transmit the media in response to being located at a movedlocation away from the thermal event.
 4. The system of claim 1, whereinthe connectivity device is further configured to activate an alarmfunction responsive to the detection of the thermal event.
 5. The systemof claim 4, wherein the alarm function includes activation of a vehicleperimeter alarm.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the connectivitydevice is further configured to provide illumination of the thermalevent using one or more lights of the vehicle.
 7. The system of claim 1,wherein the connectivity device is further configured to allow thevehicle to provide shelter to exited occupants of the structure.
 8. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the connectivity device is further configuredto allow the vehicle to become available as a means of transportationfor exited occupants of the structure.
 9. The system of claim 1, whereinthe connectivity device is further configured to open a door to astructure in which the vehicle is located.
 10. A vehicle comprising: aprocessor configured to receive an indication from a vehicle thermalsensor indicative of detection of a thermal event external to thevehicle and within a structure in which the vehicle is located,responsive to the detection, perform assistance features including toautonomously move the vehicle out of the structure away from the thermalevent, and transmit media responsive to being located at a movedlocation away from the thermal event.
 11. The vehicle of claim 10,wherein the processor is further configured to confirm the detection ofthe thermal event by utilizing other thermal sensor inputs of thevehicle before performing the assistance features.
 12. The vehicle ofclaim 10, wherein the processor is further configured to operate as aninformation relay that provides status of the thermal event.
 13. Thevehicle of claim 10, wherein the processor is further configured toactivate a vehicle perimeter alarm responsive to the detection of thethermal event.
 14. The vehicle of claim 10, wherein the processor isfurther configured to provide illumination of the thermal event usingone or more lights of the vehicle.
 15. The vehicle of claim 10, whereinthe processor is further configured to open a door to a structure inwhich the vehicle is located.
 16. A method comprising: activating aconnectivity device of a vehicle responsive to detection of a thermalevent external to the vehicle by a vehicle thermal sensor; confirming,by the connectivity device, the detection of the thermal event byutilizing other thermal sensor inputs of the vehicle; and responsive tothe confirmation, commanding a vehicle system to autonomously move thevehicle out of a structure away from the thermal event.
 17. The methodof claim 16, further comprising transmitting media responsive to beinglocated at a moved location away from the thermal event.
 18. The methodof claim 16, further comprising operating as an information relay thatprovides status of the thermal event.
 19. The method of claim 16,further comprising activating a vehicle perimeter alarm responsive tothe detection of the thermal event.
 20. The method of claim 16, furthercomprising providing illumination of the thermal event using one or morelights of the vehicle.
 21. The method of claim 16, further comprisingopening a door to a structure in which the vehicle is located.